Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Warrant Officer Class II J. Balfour, Gordon Highlanders and 14th London Regiment (London Scottish)

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (6635 Pte., Gordon Highrs.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (6635 Pte., Gordon Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (200145 W.O. Cl. II, Gordons); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-18 (200145 Pte., Gordons) attempted erasure of rank; Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (522321 W.O. Cl. II, 14/Lond. R.) last with official corrections to service number and unit, contact marks, the earlier medals good fine; the others nearly very fine (6) £250-300

Only an estimated 94 Territorial Force War Medals were awarded to NCO's and other ranks of the Gordon Highlanders.

With a photograph of recipient in Great War era uniform with South African ribbons up and wearing Sergeant Major's insignia. Also a newspaper article from the Evening Express showing a photograph of South African veterans in Aberdeen 1937, including Sergeant Major Balfour, the article states:

‘All decked out for the Big Parade. There's a military theme to this parade float from 1937. 

Reader Mrs Geddes, of Hilton, Aberdeen, submitted this picture of her father who was a well-known figure in Aberdeen. Mrs Laura Geddes's father James Balfour is on the extreme left. He was a Regimental Sergeant Major with the Gordon Highlanders and served in the Boer War. A Regimental boxing champion he worked as a gym instructor for the Gordons. But perhaps Mr Balfour is best remembered for his time as a labour councillor on Aberdeen Town Council. Jim Balfour had a crucial role in setting up the first Thrift Shop in the city to help the needy.....’